Uplifting Stories: True Tales to Inspire You to Take Action

By Ione Butler

This collection of inspirational narratives, curated by the popular founder of Uplifting Content, is sure to change your perspective—and maybe even restore your faith in humanity.

If you can’t bear to watch the news lately, you’re not alone. Luckily, Ione Butler is here to offer you an alternative—and maybe even restore your faith in humanity. As the founder of Uplifting Content, a social media platform followed by over 1.4 million people, she has interviewed some of the most inspiring people in the world. Here, she shares their remarkable stories and the lessons they’ve learned to help you through life’s many challenges.

Among the amazing folks you’ll meet is Kyle Maynard, a motivational speaker and the first quadruple amputee to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro without the aid of prosthetics—thanks to his “no excuses” attitude. You’ll also meet Destiny Watford, a high school student whose passionate activism helped save her town, once dubbed “the most polluted zip code in America,” and Kouhyar Mostashfi and Greg Smith, two men from Ohio with completely opposing political views who have done the seemingly impossible and set aside their differences to become great friends. At the end of each story, you’ll also find exercises to help you take action in your own life—whether by asking deeper questions about what’s important to you, forging new connections and nurturing existing relationships, or reflecting on the contributions you wish to make in the world.

The stories explore themes like human connection, service to others, and the pursuit of passion. Butler, who struggled with depression herself, firmly believes that focusing on the good in the world helped bring her back from the brink. Uplifting Stories reminds you that the world is still full of great people—even if their voices sometimes get lost in the noise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Sep 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781982138240

Ione Butler

Ione Butler is a British actress, host, voice-over artist, and entrepreneur, and the founder of Uplifting Content. Based in Los Angeles, Ione can often be found traveling for work or fun.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Do you sometimes despair at the state of the world? Are you disappointed with the people in it? If so, you are not alone. I’m sure we can all relate to feeling deflated at times, especially after watching the evening news. Most media outlets stream a steady diet of depressing and scandalous stories, because strife and conflict sells. And it’s human nature to be drawn to it. In fact, it’s in our DNA: what scientists call the negativity bias was essential to our survival back in the caveman days, when our ancestors had to be keenly aware of every threat to their safety. But while times have changed, biology hasn’t. It’s what keeps us devouring the news and in a constant state of stress.

This relentless consumption can be seriously detrimental to our mental health, and even our physical health. Psychologist Graham Davey says, Negative news can significantly change an individual’s mood—especially if there is a tendency in the news broadcasts to emphasize suffering and also the emotional components of the story. In particular, negative news can affect your own personal worries. Viewing negative news means that you’re likely to see your own personal worries as more threatening and severe.

In fact, it was this realization, that what we consume has such a profound effect on us, that led me to create Uplifting Content in 2016—a social media platform, blog, podcast, and now a book with a twofold mission: 1. to uplift humanity by creating and sharing inspiring media, and 2. to empower people to take positive action in their lives.

I started it, in part, for my own benefit, because most of my life I’ve dealt with depression. When I was feeling low, I’d seek out inspiring movies, TV shows, and online content, but they were surprisingly difficult to find. I also learned some sad and shocking statistics—that nearly 1 in 5 American adults, or 60 million people, suffer from mental health issues. That there are 123 suicides per day in the United States; that’s one every 11 minutes. And that for every successful attempt, there are 25 failed attempts.

People are struggling. I’ve developed strategies over the years to cope with depression, and positive narratives are a huge part of that. I couldn’t believe how quickly they improved my mood and emotional well-being, and I was called to gather healing messages and share them with the millions of people who needed to hear them.

Because it’s not all doom and gloom. You might be surprised to learn that in the last sixty years, the percentage of the world population living in extreme poverty (surviving on $1.90 a day or less) shrank from 50 percent to 10. Life expectancy rose by twenty years. Global literacy rates have also jumped, from 36 percent in 1950 to 83 percent today. Vastly more people today have rights, conveniences, and protections they never would have dreamed of only twenty years ago. Again, though it might not feel like it, even racism, sexism, and homophobia are on the decline across the board.

If you want to improve your mood, a great place to start is by shifting the narrative. Yes, there are awful people in the world doing horrendous things, but there are also millions upon millions of hardworking parents, friends, citizens, and public servants doing their best to help others. Some of them are the unsung heroes you’re about to meet in this book. It’s about perspective, paying more attention to things that bring you joy and focusing less on what brings you down.

So here’s an experiment for you. Try not watching—or reading, or listening to—the news for a week, and see how you feel. I guarantee that the world will not stop spinning because you’re no longer tuning in. And when you stop letting all that negativity seep into your subconscious, you’ll feel so much better.

And while you’re on your news hiatus, enjoy this book. I want to offer you a different lens through which to view the world, and the people in it.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

YOU CAN EITHER read it cover to cover or read stories from the relevant chapters to help with whatever you are going through. For example, if you’re feeling a little lonely or having a disagreement with a loved one, read the stories from the Human Connection chapter.

If you feel like you’d like to give something back, the Acts of Service stories will inspire you to get started. If you are faced with an overwhelming challenge, the stories from the Overcoming Adversity chapter will remind you that you can persevere. If you have an idea to challenge the status quo or want to take a stand for what you believe in, the Game-Changers stories are the ones to turn to. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut at work, the Pursuing Your Passions and Purpose chapter will get your creative juices flowing. And the stories from the chapter on The Unimaginable will blow your mind when you realize what human beings are truly capable of.

I want these stories to not only lift you up, but also inspire you to take action. At the end of every story, you’ll find recommended exercises from either the interviewee or me. They might entail something as simple as smiling at someone on the street or something a bit more difficult, like tackling an issue that matters to you. So grab a notebook, a pen, and a highlighter, take notes, and follow through. I’d love to hear how you get on with the exercises, so please share your success and wins with me on social media @ionebutler.

My hope is that this book and the stories in it remind you of what is achievable. I believe you have unlimited potential. You can make great changes in your life, fulfill your dreams, and make a positive impact on the lives of others and on our planet, if you so desire. Humanity is at a crossroads, and we need you to keep shining your light and sharing your gifts, not to succumb to despair and fear.

So settle in, turn off your phone, and enjoy.

Much love,

Ione

PART 1

HUMAN CONNECTION

Human connection is the most vital aspect of our existence, without the sweet touch of another being, we are lonely stars in an empty space waiting to shine gloriously.

—Joe Straynge

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist known for his theory of the hierarchy of human needs, and his famous five-tiered pyramid states that after satisfying our physical and safety needs, the next most essential need for human beings is love and belonging.

It has been proven that without human connection, interaction, and love, humans cannot function well, and living without these puts us more at risk of experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, mental illness, and personality disorders.

The longest-running study on happiness, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, has been tracking the lives of 724 men since 1938. Researchers in the study have found that how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health, and concluded that people who are more socially connected to family, friends, and community are happier and healthier and live longer than people with fewer connections.

Research professor and author Brené Brown, who specializes in social connection, says, A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick.

It’s clear that human connection is vital. But why is this so?

It comes down to survival. Our ancestors had to depend on and cooperate with each other to survive much harsher living conditions than we do now. Professor Matthew Lieberman explains in his book, Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect, that humans are the most connected of all living beings, and what this suggests is that becoming more socially connected is essential to our survival. In a sense, evolution seems to have made bets at each step that the best way to make us more successful is to make us more social.

Have you ever felt physical pain after a breakup? Or hurt at being left out of a group? That’s because social connection is so important that when we are rejected, we experience it the same way we would a physical blow.

Kipling D. Williams, a professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University, explains that when a person is ostracized, the brain’s dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which registers physical pain, also feels this social injury. Proof that we are hardwired for connection.

Yet today, loneliness is a persistent problem. One in five Americans feels lonely or isolated, and this ratio increases to one in three after age sixty-five. More adults are living alone than ever before—over a quarter of Americans. Studies have found that loneliness is more dangerous than obesity and as damaging to your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day; it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and shortens life-span.

I hope I’ve managed to convey the importance of human connection. If you’ve been feeling a little isolated or are missing the kind of meaningful relationships you’d like in your life, here are ten ways to find them.

1. JOIN A CLASS. Start a class in a subject you are interested in, like acting, meditation, or cooking; you’ll be instantly surrounded by like-minded people—and potential friends.

2. FIND A WORKOUT YOU LOVE. Attending a workout class or going to a gym regularly is a great way to build a sense of community and see the same faces on a continuing basis. Open yourself up to connecting with others by asking questions and making conversation. Just saying hello to someone creates space for a friendly chat. If there’s interest, you can organize group workouts, such as a yoga session or a run, or suggest going for a bite to eat or a coffee after a session.

3. USE THE MEETUP APP. Meetup is a great platform for finding and building a community in your local area. From group hikes to brewery tours to coding classes, there are countless group activities for you to join, and lots of people for you to meet!

4. BOND WITH YOUR COWORKERS. The people we work with are often the people we spend the most time with, so why not make the effort to get to know them better? Organize something fun for someone’s birthday, go for lunch together, share a personal story with them, or ask their advice.

5. VOLUNTEER. Volunteering is a terrific way to meet new people—and to feel good. Help at your local place of worship or in a local school. Many charitable organizations also offer volunteer opportunities, so check their websites or social media channels to learn about them.

6. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE YOU ALREADY KNOW. Good friendships take work and effort. They need to be nurtured, so take the time to build a bond with those who are already in your life, whether it be the parents of your kids’ friends, your hairdresser, or a friend of a friend. Suggest meeting up for a drink or a bite. Or reconnect with old friends. Don’t you just love it when you speak to or see an old friend you haven’t seen in years, and it’s like you only saw each other yesterday? It makes you wonder why you lost touch in the first place!

7. PERFORM ACTS OF SERVICE. Do something nice and thoughtful for the people in your life. This doesn’t always have to be expensive or time-consuming. You could help a friend with a move, or take dinner over to friends who’ve just had a baby. Simple, thoughtful gestures are often deeply appreciated.

8. TRAVEL. Travel is by far my favorite pastime; there’s nothing better than being in a new country or city, experiencing all the place has to offer and meeting new people. Solo travel is especially great for making new friends, and while it may be a scary prospect to set off to a foreign land alone, just know that there are many people in the same boat keen to meet and connect with someone like you. There are also travel companies designed to bring solo travelers together for group trips, so if the idea appeals to you, get online and book something!

9. BE INTERESTED… AND INTERESTING. When you meet people, be genuinely curious about them. Ask questions to learn about who they are. Listen; be encouraging and supportive. In return, be willing to share things about yourself. According to brothers Ori and Rom Brafman, authors of Click: The Forces Behind How We Fully Engage with People, Work, and Everything We Do, the fact that both of you are letting down your guard helps lay the groundwork for a faster, closer personal connection.

10. SAY YES, AND PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. After a long day at work, it’s tempting to curl up on the couch at home and binge watch the latest show on Netflix, but needless to say, this is not the best way to form meaningful connections. Of course, time alone for self-care is important, but it’s all about balance. Sometimes it can be intimidating to put yourself in a social situation where you don’t know a lot of people, but remember, we’re all human, and the people you meet have their own insecurities and fears. Start saying yes to things you’re invited to, or if you hear someone mention an activity that sounds interesting to you, ask if you can join them. Be open and be daring. You never know who you might meet!

THERE IS CURRENTLY a lot of division in the world, and while we are still hardwired to connect, we are retreating to our tribal teams, avoiding one another and labeling each other. We must find ways to reconnect if we are to survive. The three stories in this chapter will remind you how to do it—and how amazing it feels when you do.

There’s the love story of Amanda and Adam, two people from different backgrounds who found each other through a game called Ingress and nurtured a deep, loving connection. Matthew Christian’s story highlights how essential it is to be true to who you are and to be yourself with those you love.

But let’s start with an especially timely tale—about two men with opposing political views who have put aside their differences to become the closest of friends.

KOUHYAR AND GREG:

AN UNLIKELY PAIR

America’s polarization began long before November 8, 2016, but that was the day all hell broke loose. Donald Trump had been elected president, losing the popular vote but defeating Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College. Trump’s supporters were stunned but elated; Clinton’s were even more stunned—but furious. And so the dividing lines suddenly became gaping chasms.

I’m sure many can relate to having struggled around the dinner table at a family gathering as opinions fly like cruise missiles. A relative at a cousin’s wedding may have scolded you for your beliefs. Have you seen a comment on Facebook by a coworker that infuriated, disgusted, or upset you? You are not alone. But believe it or not, two remarkable men found a way to put aside their differences and return to reason.

This is the story of a conservative Christian construction worker and a liberal Muslim immigrant from Iran, who, although they couldn’t be more opposite, have found friendship and common ground that can inspire us all.

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KOUHYAR MOSTASHFI, age forty-six, is a soft-spoken, studious, and thoughtful man. Born in Iran, he emigrated to the United States in 1994 for college. He studied hard and earned multiple degrees in engineering.

He married, settled in Ohio, and began his career. And along the way he became a US citizen. He had never thought of himself as a political person before, even though Iran’s politics had long been turbulent. But for him, the process of becoming a US citizen ignited a passion for civics and democracy. Initially, he resisted choosing a party, but the more he learned, the more he began to lean Democratic. One big influence was the Bush administration’s incursion into the Middle East after 9/11.

Kouhyar’s research and experience suggested that the Democrats were more inclusive. Their worldview seemed to align with his own values, not only as a human being, but as a Muslim. He saw the Democratic tent as being large and diverse, and felt comfortable in it. When Barack Obama ran for president in 2008, Kouhyar liked what he saw and got involved with canvassing door-to-door.

As his political involvement increased, a friend suggested he join his county Democratic Party. Warren County, in southwestern Ohio, was one of the most right-leaning counties in the whole state. Kouhyar became a central committee member and got his feet wet in grassroots activism. He campaigned for Obama again in the 2012 election, and in 2016, he supported Hillary Clinton’s bid for president.

He endured the heated rhetoric and language—particularly strong in his Republican state—up until election day. The toxic atmosphere created by the election had caused this very mild-mannered man great distress, so he was glad it was about to be over. But when the election results came in, Kouhyar felt devastated and betrayed. He was so angry, he was ready to cut out everyone from his life who was anywhere close to right of center—friends, family, coworkers, people he’d known for years. Suddenly, they all seemed like the enemy.

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GREG SMITH, age fifty-nine, another sweet, affable man with deep religious convictions, was born and raised in Waynesville, Ohio. A sleepy town of just a few thousand souls, one of Waynesville’s claims to fame is their annual sauerkraut festival. Situated